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A spread of wrapped sandwiches from Subway, Jimmy John's, and Cousins Subs.
I tried BLTs from Subway, Jimmy John's, and Cousins Subs, and won't be returning to one of the chains.

Michelle Mastro

  • I tried BLT sandwiches from Subway, Jimmy John's, and Cousins Subs.
  • I wasn't a fan of Subway's BLT and thought the bread tasted a bit sugary.
  • I loved Jimmy John's applewood smoked bacon, but Cousins Subs made my overall favorite BLT.

BLT sandwiches are my go-to lunch staple. Filled with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, and a touch of mayo, they're simple but delicious.

Although BLTs are easy to prepare at home, I was curious to see which major sandwich chain makes the best one. So, I headed to Indiana-based Subway, Jimmy John's, and Cousins Subs locations to compare their offerings.

Here's how it went.

Prices may vary by location.

I started my quest for the best BLT at Cousins Subs.
The storefront of Cousins Subs in Indianapolis.
The first BLT I tried was from Cousins Subs.

Michelle Mastro

Cousins Subs began serving sandwiches in 1972. As its name suggests, the brand was started by two cousins who wanted to bring their favorite handhelds from the East Coast to Milwaukee.

Although the vast majority of the brand's 100+ locations are located in Wisconsin, I was able to visit one of the chain's Indianapolis storefronts.

My 7.5-inch sub cost $9.

I thought Cousins Subs had the best bread.
The author's opened BLT from Cousins Subs, highlighting the bread, lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes.
The bread at Cousins Subs was my favorite.

Michelle Mastro

The bread on this sandwich tasted fresh and reminded me of the kind I'd get at Pret a Manger in London. It wasn't chewy at all and went down easily.

The bacon was long and crispy, filling the sandwich and complementing the bread's fluffiness. The tomato slices were also a good size, and the lettuce was neatly chopped.

The mayo seemed to have a slight seasoning that gave it a great flavor, too.

This sandwich had the best overall flavor of the three, so even though the brand is harder to find in my area, it was worth the trip. If I lived closer to a Cousins Subs, I'd 100% order this BLT again.

Next, I visited Jimmy John's.
A Jimmy John's storefront in Carmel, Indiana.
Jimmy John's has opened more than 2,600 locations since it was founded in 1983.

Michelle Mastro

Unlike the more localized Cousins Subs, Jimmy John's has more than 2,600 locations across the US. However, it has roots in the Midwest — its first store opened in Illinois in 1983.

I visited a restaurant in Carmel, Indiana, and paid $8 for an 8-inch sandwich.

Jimmy John's BLT had the best bacon.
The author's opened BLT from Jimmy John's, highlighting the bread, lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes.
I really enjoyed Jimmy John's Applewood smoked bacon.

Michelle Mastro

The bacon on this sandwich was very savory, and I could taste the applewood smoke, which added a zestiness to the fluffy French bread.

It had a lot of lettuce — much more than the version from Cousins Subs — which I liked because it felt like I was making up for all the carbs I was eating. The tomatoes were also cut thicker.

Together, this made the sandwich feel like a salad between bread slices, but there was still a lot of bacon to render this handheld a true BLT.

I concluded my BLT journey at Subway.
A Subway storefront in Carmel, Indiana.
I ordered my last BLT from Subway.

Michelle Mastro

Subway has nearly 37,000 locations around the world. Even though it's not my go-to fast-food spot, I know that when I travel, I can find a location almost anywhere I go. This time, I visited a location in Carmel, Indiana.

I originally ordered a 6-inch sub, but the cashier upgraded me to a foot-long version since the store was running a deal when I visited. I ended up paying $7.90 and cut the sandwich in half to enjoy.

Subway's BLT was my least favorite.
The author's opened BLT from Subway, highlighting the bread, lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes.
I did not enjoy my BLT from Subway.

Michelle Mastro

When I took a bite, I thought the bread tasted sugary and chewy, which made me wish I'd gotten a wrap or whole wheat bread instead.

The bacon wasn't much better, either, as I thought it was greasy and a bit flimsy.

Although the veggie portions didn't necessarily taste fresh, I wish I'd asked for more to maybe help compensate for some of the grease.

I won't be returning to Subway anytime soon, but I enjoyed the BLTs from Cousins Subs and Jimmy John's.
The author's BLTs from Subway, Jimmy John's, and Cousins Subs are displayed next to each other unwrapped.
I enjoyed the BLTs at Cousins Subs and Jimmy John's.

Michelle Mastro

Overall, I thought Cousins Subs and Jimmy John's made the best BLTs. If I had to choose one winner, I'd rank Cousins Subs slightly higher because of the bread and seasonings, even though I preferred Jimmy John's bacon.

Meanwhile, I thought Subway's BLT was a bit chewy and seemed to lack fresh-tasting vegetables. I also wasn't a fan of the bacon, and likely won't be returning to the chain anytime soon.

This story was originally published on April 2, 2025, and most recently updated on August 22, 2025.

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I ordered bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches from Cousins Subs, Jimmy John's…